Clinical versus Histological Assessment of Basal Cell Carcinoma Subtype and Thickness of Tumours Selected for Photodynamic Therapy

Acta Derm Venereol. 2024 May 15:104:adv18308. doi: 10.2340/actadv.v104.18308.

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy is an approved treatment for primary, superficial, and small nodular basal cell carcinomas with a thickness of < 2 mm located on low-risk sites. Histologically verified basal cell carcinomas clinically assessed as suited for photodynamic therapy were included. The study aimed to investigate the agreement between clinical and histological assessments of basal cell carcinoma subtypes and thickness of tumours selected for photodynamic therapy with histopathological evaluation as a reference. A total of 343 tumours were included. The agreement between clinical and histological diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma subtype was 72% (p < 0.001). Clinical assessment of subtype had a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 55% for superficial tumours and a sensitivity of 55% and specificity of 85% for nodular tumours. The mean ± SD thickness values by clinical and histological assessments were 0.95 ± 0.53 and 0.86 ± 0.75. The difference of 0.09 mm was statistically significant (p = 0.017), but not considered to be clinically relevant, although the differences between specific subgroups could be relevant. Among basal cell carcinomas clinically diagnosed as superficial, 91% were histologically consistent with the current photodynamic therapy criteria. The main results suggest that histopathological evaluation should precede photodynamic therapy to ensure selection of suitable basal cell carcinomas. In selected cases, the clinical diagnosis alone may be adequate before proceeding with photodynamic therapy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biopsy
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Selection
  • Photochemotherapy*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology

Grants and funding

Funding sources The study has been funded by the Liaison Committee for Education, Research and Innovation in Central Norway (Samarbeidsorganet).